Apple Cider Vinegar is the by product of fermented apples.  Apples are full of potassium, pectin, and calcium.  Fermentation fortifies it with even more beneficial acids and enzymes.  Its antiseptic and antibacterial.  Apple Cider Vinegar can improve overall skin complexion by restoring and balancing natural pH.

Toner improves overall skin texture and removes dead cells that stick even after cleansing.  Provides needed hydration to your skin which is essential to smoothness, moisture and a more youthful appearance.  Hydration also reduces the signs of aging.  Large pores allow more dirt, oils, and toxins into your skin, using a toner shrinks pores.  Toner works to remove environmental toxins helping your skin look brighter and healthier.

Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

Sensitive Skin

1 part Apple Cider Vinegar

4 parts filtered water

Normal Skin

1 part Apple Cider Vinegar

2 parts filtered water

Make a small amount to start Apple Cider Vinegar is strong and needs to be diluted especially for sensitive skin.  If you find the mixture too strong add more water and if its too weak add more apple cider vinegar.  This is super important for sensitive skin.  This toner is shelf stable keep in a glass jar with a lid or in a small spray bottle.  Apply with a cotton ball or spritz on face.

This is 3 tablespoons ACV with 9 tablespoons filtered water.  This is the ratio that works for me and fits in my jar.  I have sensitive skin and this is what works for me.  A reminder always try a small amount to figure out the right dilution ratio for yourself.  When adjusting the recipe to make it weaker or stronger add a tablespoon at a time until you have found the right ratio for your skin.  After a while your skin may become used to this toner and need to adjust.

Its the time of year again.  Spring forward.  We lose an hour of sleep and its rough.  We gain more daylight but loosing that hour takes a bit to get use to.  Yay for more daylight, boo for loosing an hour of sleep.  Some people have no problem adjusting to this change but some of us have a lot of trouble.  When we fall back I really don’t have trouble adjusting but this losing an hour is rough.  I find myself “sleeping in” and waking up groggy and feeling like it takes me forever to start my day.  So I have been thinking of way to prepare myself this year and thought I would share.  Here are a few tips for making the transition to longer days and spring a little easier.

Start going to bed earlier a few days before.  15-30 minutes.  Strive for 7-8 hours of sleep.  Adjusting your sleep prior will help you will make it easier for you.  Avoid the urge to sleep in on to make up for the loss of sleep or to prepare for it.  Stick to your routine.  We are creatures of habit and daily routines keep life easier when changes are happening.

Be active.  You will be more likely to be tired and sleep well.  Get outside, workout, don’t be a couch potato.  Even if its a walk around the neighborhood just move you will thank yourself.  Just make sure you leave yourself time to relax before bed.

Start cutting off your caffeine intake earlier then usual.  6 hours before bed time is ideal.  Cut off alcohol consumption 2 hours prior to when you want to sleep.  Alcohol and caffeine disrupt the natural sleep cycle.  Turn off your electronics 1 hour prior to sleep.  Removing distractions will make it so you sleep soundly all night.  These are good tips for every night but are especially important when your schedule is already disrupted.

Take time adjusting.  Slowly start resetting your bed time by 15 minutes each night until you are back to the normal time.  Just like when you travel it takes time to adjust and adjust back. Be nice to yourself.  Take care of yourself.

Difference between Meal Planning and Meal Prepping

Meal planning and meal prepping are great ways to keep on track with your health goals. Its great to have a dinner or lunch or even breakfast already planned and the food already in your refrigerator. You can do one or both. Do which ever fits into your life and fits with your goals. If you find that dinner is a mad rush and time is limited maybe chopping vegetables or having something already prepped to throw together and cook would be handy to have already prepared. Maybe having your lunches put together to save time in the morning and keep the fast food away is what you need. I am going to breakdown planning and prepping below and share some of my tips and tricks so you can figure out what will work best for you.

What is Meal Planning?

Meal planning can be a little intimidating at the start. Make this easier by sitting down and organizing your recipes or meals in a notebook or on your computer somewhere that is easy to access. Organize meals by family favorites or go-tos and by new recipes you would like to try to keep things interesting. You can further organize these by ingredient, main dish, side, or just keep a running list of ideas. It doesn’t need to by complicated organize however it will work for you.

A few tips and tricks to make things easier. Pay attention to your schedule for the week. Look at your calendar and make note of activities or events you have going on. A busy night that calls for a crockpot meal? Are you planning to eat out one night? This way you will be prepared for whatever you have going on. Theme nights are also a fun and easy way to already have a meal crossed off your list each week. Taco Tuesday. Meatless Monday. Pizza night. Breakfast for dinner. Whatever you or your family likes make it a night each week. This is fun and can become the night you look forward to the most. First things first start by organizing yourself. It will a lot easier to start this process and make it successful if you first collect recipes, and organize them.

What is Meal Prepping?

Meal prepping can be prepping veggies for the week, prepping whole meals, or making a big batch of something and freezing half of it for a later date. Taking sometime to wash vegetables and chop them up for an easy snack to grab or to save time when preparing dinner. You can prep whole dinners or lunches by cooking a large batch of protein, roast some veggies, and you have a quick grab and go dinner or lunch. Another great way to prep is make a large batch of something you are already making and freezing half for a quick dinner on a busy night or a night when the plan just doesn’t work out.

A few tips prepping and freezing a week of smoothies is an easy way to save time in the morning. Your freezer is your best friend seriously! Soups, taco meat, egg muffins, breakfast burritos, fajita filling. The list can go on. Make lunches easier by having veggies already cut up, cook a grain in bulk to add in, and have a protein cooked so you can throw it together and go. Time saver and money saver since you won’t be tempted to eat out!

Check out recipe ideas on our blog and on our Pinterest page.